The Halstead Freckles - [Linstead] ✓

11. - If I Can Live Through This, I Can Do Anything

Oli woke up the next day, feeling the salt of his dried tears on his cheeks. He opened his eyes and met his mom's green ones. He saw worry in them.

"Hey." she whispered.

Oli didn't know how to respond. He wasn't nice to her yesterday. And he was sorry. He only wrapped his arms around her neck and pulled himself to her. "Mommy, I'm sorry," he whispered "It wasn't nice what I said to you. I don't want you to go away."

"I know sweetie and I'm sorry too." she pulled away and looked him in the eyes. His eyes, she thought, the same as Jay's. "I know what I did was not alright and..."

"But Jay was so sad, mommy! He loves you, don't you know? What is keeping you from going?" he whined and sniffed, to fight back the tears that were threatening to roll down his face again.

He loves you, don't you know? That specific question made her realize something. She loved him too. Because why else couldn't she fall asleep last night? Why did she feel so great around him? Why didn't anything make sense without him? Because she was so damn in love with him.

She explained to him the thing about work, and Jenny, but he wouldn't stop.

"We can invite Jenny over and she'll tell you you must go and you can say goodbye to her then!"

"Sweetie, the thing is..." No, she couldn't tell him about Hank and how she 'ran' to New York before she got him. He's too young.

"What?"

How stupid was she being? Keeping her own kid from his dad all these years and when he finally meets him, she's going to keep him away again? And why, why  was she always thinking about her own ass and no one else's? Oli needs his dad. And Jay needs his kid. And she needs to explain. To Hank, to her ex-maybe-to-be-coworkers. And she needs to go do her job, for God's sake. She promised to come she can't just leave them.

"Fine. Call Jenny."

"Really?"

"Really." she forced a smile and the kid ran to get the landline phone. She was doing the right thing, right? She didn't know anymore. She only wanted Oli to be happy.

xxxxxxxx

Jay heard knocking on the door so he got up from the couch and went to open it.

"Hey."

"Sarge."

"Is Erin here? I just wanted to say hi." Voight smiled.

"Uh, no, she stayed in New York." Jay scrathced his neck. He was just hoping Voight wouldn't take him for one way ride to the silos.

"What?"

"Yeah, um, she said she can't at this moment. I don't know what happened, she was all in for it, but then suddenly she's crying and telling me to go without her."

Voight looked at him for a few seconds, then pulled out his wallet. "Here's money for another flight. You go there and drag her here if needed, or find me someone as good as her that will be able to work Intellingence tomorrow. I don't have time for your games." and with that he walked away.

That was it? Jay thought. Okay, then, he sighed, let's go to New York.

xxxxxxxx

Jenny did come. And as Oli predicted, she told Erin that she would miss her as hell, but she should go. Everyone would be happier that way (well maybe not Jenny, but you get the point).

Now she saw things from a different perspective. They just have to go to Chicago. They can't live without Jay. She didn't know what happened to her yesterday. She probably just panicked. One minute, they were talking about it and in the other they were leaving already. It was just a little too fast, that's all. God, she just hoped Jay wasn't too angry with her. she wouldn't forgive herself if he was.

"Now, mommy, are you sure?" Oli asked slowly and tried not to laugh. They got ready this afternoon after Jenny left and decided to go after Jay, to Chicago.

"You little sarcastic ..." she laughed and ruffled his hair.

"Let's go!" Oli said and rushed down the hall.

Erin took the last look over the apartment, then she turned the light off and closed the door.

xxxxxxxx

The airport wasn't crowded, which was weird, because it was Sunday - people usualy travel over the weekend. Their plane took off in about five minutes and they had to hury a little. Erin was checking if she had everything while taking quick steps after Oli. "Mommy. Come. On!"

She only took his hand and said "Slow down a little. We'll be on time."

They were getting closer to a small crowd of people that just got off the plane from Chicago.

Suddenly, Oli pulled his hand out of Erin's and ran away. Erin lifted her head in shock, to see where he was running to. She let out the breath she was holding in. It was Jay. A smile appeared on her face too when she saw him smiling to Oli and stretching out his arms for him. I guess he's not mad.

"Jay!" Oli shouted towards him as he threw himself in his embrace. "You're here."

"Yep I'm here. I came to tak you and mommy with me." He smiled as he pulled back.

"We were just about to go to Chicago!" Oli said with excitement.

Now Erin got to them too and Jay stood up. "Hey." She said and gave him an apologetic smile. "Jay, I'm sorry, I shouldn't-"

He didn't want to listen her stupid apology, because he understood. He understood it's hard for her. I mean she was practically on her own her whole life. Always took care of herself. She just wasn't sure about this yesterday. He didn't want herto apologize, because there was nothing to forgive her. Yes, her decision hurt a little but now she's here and Oli's here and they're about to go live together so it's all good. He didn't want her to think he was mad at her, so to stop her talking he only pulled her into a warm hug. "It's fine, Erin. You're here now." he whispered to her ear.

xxxxxxxx

"Can I sit by the window please pretty please?" Oli asked, jumping up and down. It was his first time on a plane.

"Sure." Erin chuckled at him.

He was insisting that he'll stay up until they get to Chicago, but after thirty minutes, he was out.

He was using his shark-whale thingy that Jay bought him as a pillow, he was holding Puppy close to his chest and his legs were tucked under him.

"He's the cutest." Erin said to Jay while watching him.

"Just like his mom." Jay smiled to her.

She only raised her eyebrows.

"What?"

"Jay, he's a perfect copy of you, not me."

"Well, what can I say? I do have some pretty good genes. This kid won the DNA lottery if you ask me." he joked and Erin only rolled her eyes.

"Listen, Jay, I really am sorry." she said seriously, changing the subject.

"Hey," he said and put his hand on her thigh and gently squeezed it "I just told you half an hour ago, don't beat yourself up about it. All that matters now is me, you and this little monkey of ours." he smiled and gave her a quick kiss.

She cupped his cheek and nuzzled her nose to his. "You really are the best you know?"

He only kissed her again in response, just to let her know he truly wasn't mad at her, and only hoped she'll let it go eventually.

xxxxxxxx

this is it for today. i hope you like it. would be happy to get some feedback. luv ya all.